Collision Avoidance >Lane Change Aid

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• Introduction
• Operations and Benefits
• Costs
• Companies
• Websites/references

Lane Change Decision Aid Systems or Lange Change Assistant

According to NHTSA data, more than 40 percent of U.S. vehicle-related fatalities (more than 18,000 people) are caused by unintentional lane/road departure. The societal impact of these collisions: More than $230 billion, or $820 per every person in the United States.

Lane change systems generally rely on one or more of the following technologies:  laser, radar, and ultrasound sensors as well as video image processing.  Many companies have come up with systems that use one or more of the above technical components to help dirvers change or merge lanes.  They have various warning systems, including images, a lighted warning, or a vibrating steering wheel. 

Lane changing is especially relevant to commercial truck drivers. 
 
PreVent is creating a case study with the following characteristics:

1. Lateral and rear area monitoring application enhancing the driver’s perception and decreasing the risk of collision in the lateral and rear area of the vehicle
2. Lateral collision warning application that detects and tracks obstacles in the lateral field and warns the driver about an imminent risk of accident
3. Stand-alone lane change assistance system with integrated blind spot detection assisting the driver in lane change maneuvers when driving on roads with more than one lane per direction reference

1. The multi-sensor system should cover 270° around the vehicle using an open perception platform and standardised output. A three-layer architecture will enable the modularity of the system (perception, situation analysis & application, action & HMI)
2. The HMI module prioritises application warning/information requests and directs them to the proper actuator/display

Application requirements:

1. Tracking of dynamic targets moving towards the vehicle
2. Knowledge of manoeuvres in the direction of an obstacle and critical lane change manoeuvres
3. Detection of obstacles at close range
4. Detection of vehicles in the blind spot
5. Detection of critical and non-critical objects in the lateral and rear areas

The following main safety functions will be integrated in the demonstration vehicles:

1. Lateral and rear monitoring system
2. Lane change assistant
3. Lateral collision warning

This will extend the operative scenarios of existing systems to all weather conditions and congested urban areas

Companies

Valeo Raytheon's Lane Change Assistance System consists of two radar sensors joined to a control box and two LED warning indicators mounted in the side rear-view mirrors. The sensors continuously monitor the presence, direction and velocity of vehicles in the roadway lanes adjacent to your vehicle. The radar image sensors create a digital picture of your traveling environment. The digital information is processed by a central control module.

When vehicles, motorcyclists, bicyclists move into your blind-spot, the central control box alerts you by lighting the warning indicators in the side rear-view mirrors. As the system is currently designed, if you have engaged your turn signal, the central controller, can turn-on an audio alarm inside the cockpit, to give you an additional warning.

How will the final product be configured? That depends on the automaker. Each automaker has their preferred way of designing the information interface. Regardless of the final design, one thing is sure. The system is simple to use, drivers do not have to learn any operating procedure. It's always there- and always watching for problems in your blind-spot. You can drive stress free.

Driving with Valeo Raytheon Systems Lane Change Assistance (tm) installed is like having a personal driving assistant watching behind you every turn of the wheel. You are comfortable, confident and driving assured.

Behind the Scenes

Valeo Raytheon's Blind-Spot Detection System consists of two radar sensors and two LED warning indicators mounted in the side rear-view mirrors. The sensors continuously monitor the presence, direction and velocity of vehicles in the roadway lanes adjacent to your vehicle. The radar image sensors create a digital picture of your traveling environment. When vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles or pedestrians move into your blind-spot, the system alerts you by lighting the warning indicators in the side rear-view mirrors. If you have engaged your turn signal, or begin steering into a lane that is occupied, the system turns-on an audio alarm inside the cockpit, to give you an escalated warning that a danger exists.

http://www.valeoraytheon.com/solutions.html

company 2: http://www.smartmicro.de/html/lane_change_assist.html

Delphi

helix also a company or hella 

STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM),
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/cas/cas/themes/products/electronic_brake_and_safety_systems/driver_assistance_systems/lane_keeping_en.html

http://users.rsise.anu.edu.au/~luke/doc/acra2003.pdf

All applications will be integrated and evaluated in a Fiat Stilo passenger car.

 for 270 degree coverage. They are using a Volvo test car.   Reference

The Highway Lane Change Assistant monitors the area behind and beside the own vehicle by vision "d radar sensors. If a dangerous object is detected in the neighboring lane, a warning is issued on the lane change. The system was tested by different drivers in different vehicles on German highways and showed reasonable, accepted warnings.

Taking a step beyong lane keeping systems, experts are developing systems to support a driver during lane change maneuvers.  This helps the driver avoid accidents cause by overlooking other vehicles or underestimating their speed.  A lane change decision aid system helps the driver by monitoring the approaching traffic from behind and issuing warnings if necessary. 

Sensors are set on one or both sides of the vehicle. 

Author: Terri O'Connor. April 19, 2004